Freshman forward Shakira Austin came to College Park with lofty expectations, with ESPN saying she was the No. 4 high school recruit in the country. In her first collegiate game Friday night against Coppin State, she nearly had a record-breaking performance.
Austin tallied up seven total blocks in the No. 9 Terps’ 93-36 blowout victory over Coppin State, which is just one off of Maryland’s single-game block record.
Here are all seven of Shakira Austin’s blocks, ranked.
1. Her first block
Coppin State’s Chance Graham tried to drive, but Shakira Austin told her it was a bad idea. This block was with so much authority, the ball never even left Graham’s hand before it was swatted by Austin.
2. Her third block
Somebody should have told Jalynda Salley that you can’t post up Shakira Austin. Austin stands her ground in the low post and rejects the shot with a lot of force.
3. Her second block
The victim of this Shakira swat is Tsahai Corbie. Just a memo for all basketball players: even if you beat your defender off the dribble, you won’t score if Austin is down low.
4. Her seventh block
Chance Graham found herself a victim to a nasty rejection once again. This time she tried driving but Austin made sure the ball wouldn’t be seeing the basket.
5. Her fourth block
Somebody should ask Chance Graham if she’s okay after having her shot blocked this many times by Shakira Austin. Once again Graham found herself down low matched up against Austin, and once again got swatted. She really had a rough time, didn’t see?
6. Her fifth block
Make that four Graham shots blocked by Austin. This time Austin was nowhere in sight so Graham took her…chance…but then a wonderful chase-down by Austin occurred.
7. Her sixth block
At this point, I just feel really bad for Graham. The one time she beats Shakira Austin off the dribble she still gets her shot swatted by Austin.
I wish her the best of the luck the rest of the season and hope she doesn’t have to face anyone else who blocks her shot this often.
